Republican lawmakers lit into Michael Cohen's credibility outside Trump trial in New York

(16 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York - 16 May 2024
1. Freedom Caucus members outside courthouse
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Florida:
"We're here voluntarily supporting our friend President Trump, the leader of our movement, the leader of our party, and soon again, the leader of this great country."
++BLACK FRAMES ++
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Florida:
"There is literally no branch of government that Michael Cohen is not lied to. He lied to investigators. He lied to the judge who sentenced him. He lied to the United States Congress, and he committed these lies for his own benefit."
++BLACK FRAMES ++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Matt Gaetz , R-Florida:
"This is a made up crime. No other American in the country would be charged with this type of crime. It's like the Mr. Potato Head doll of crimes, where they had to stick together a bunch of things that did not belong together."
++BLACK FRAMES ++
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Bob Good R-Virginia:
"This is a crooked sham trial to try to hurt the nominee who's going to be the president of the United States, whether or not they like it or whether or not they want that to happen. President Trump is going to be reelected."
++BLACK FRAMES ++
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado:
"They do not want him to be in this race. They know that he is the number one candidate for president of the United States for the 2024 election, and they are doing everything that they can to interfere in yet another election."
++BLACK FRAMES ++
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Rep. Ralph Norman, R-South Carolina:
"They're not going to put an innocent man behind bars. I don't care what kind of political theater they want to keep going. This is a kangaroo court pure and simple."
8. Representatives speaking
STORYLINE:
Outside the courthouse during a morning break where former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is taking place, conservative Republican lawmakers immediately lit into the credibility of defense witness Michael Cohen, levying criticism against him and others that Trump is prohibited from doing himself.
Rep. Matt Gaetz called Cohen a liar "who committed these lies for his own benefit" and colorfully referenced the case against Trump as the "Mr. Potato Head of crimes, where they had to stick together a bunch of things that did not belong together."
Gaetz and others, including House Freedom Caucus members Reps. Anna Paulina Luna and Ralph Norman, also criticized the judge's daughter - something a gag order specifically prohibits Trump from doing.
Norman called the whole proceeding "a kangaroo court, plain and simple."
Throughout the lawmakers' comments, people nearby could be heard shouting criticism and obscenities at them.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel [phone] Email: [e-mail].
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...